Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-13

that could observe was an inability to use
his arms with the same freedom which well
man enjoys. He has greater Affections than
those caused by bullets; they consist of un-
bounded conceit, an arrogance OF manner
which is positively irritating, and trick OF
half closing the eyes while listening TO q
statement thus giving one the impression
that his mind is far away. He is Imperlous
10 his ways and overbearing to his suoordi
mates, and, it is said, fawning to his superiors:
He has about 1000 clerks in his office, and
they tremble at his name. In making re-
movals he has not hesitated to discharge
veterans who were greater physical wrecks
than he, though drawing but fraction OF the
pension which he receives. As have men
toned before in these letters, the Vice Presi-
dental bee is buzzing loudly in his bonnet,
and he openly courts a stroke of Vice Presi-
dental lightning. Bat while General Black
is an intense partisan, even allowing his
politics to control his recommendation to
Congress in regard to pension legislation, 1t
is but Just to saw that when pension laws are
once enacted he gives them liberal con-
s,ruction and the rulings of the office since ne
assumed control of it have been OF broad
and liberal character.
Ex-CoMMIssIoNER OF PATENTS MONTGOMERY.
he TtCeut dppOlutnCut Va HA' ' ava 0AA'
gomery, late Commissioner of Patents, to De
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court OF the
District of Columbia, was received with gen.
une surprise by the citizens of Washington.
All who are acquainted with the late Com
missioner of Patents know that he is not fitted
for judicial position. He has some good
traits and some very bad ones. He is kind
of heart and sympathetic. but is man gov
erned by impulses rather than reason. The
republican employees in his office regret his
retirement, for he has stood between them
and the rampant politicians who have clam
ored for official blood.
1t was hoped that the appointment would
be given to the District. Colonel James IT,
Payne one of the prominent members of the
District bar, was strongly urged tor the posi-
ton. He was a man preeminently qualified
for the place, and I suppose that was the
reason he didn't get it. The President dotes
on doing the unexpected, and nothing Injuries
an honest applicants chances so much as to be
strongly urged by his friends for the place he
seeks.
PATENT OFFICE GOSSIP.
The appointment of Ex-Congressman Ben
ton J. Hall of Iowa, to the COmmissloDershlp
of Patents, naturally causes one to wonder If
Iowa takes the lead in inventions. Upon
turning to the Official Gazette find that there
were 407 patents issued to inventors last
week, and that three of these went to Iowa.
Massachusetts had 55; Connecticut, 10; New
York, 70; Pennsylvania, 33. The appoint
ment properly belongs to the East and not to
the West. With a single exception, New
England has not furnished a Commissioner
since 1859. The exception was the appoint
msnt Of Gen Ellis Spear of Maine, in 1877.
General Spear now resides in Washington,
and has large patent business. He sailed
for Europe yesterday on business.
Some idea of the relative inventive genius
of the different sections of the country may
be obtained 0y closer study of the list of
patents issued last week, which I have just
referred to. Out of the 407 patents issued
some went to inventors ia Southern States,
VIZ: Alabama. 3 Georgia, 2; Louisiana, 2;
North Carolina, /; South Carolina, l Texas,
7; Virginia, 3; total, 10. Arkansas and
Florida do not appear in the list at all. New
Jersey received 80; Minnesota 6; OHIO, 80;
Illinois, 49, Michigan, IA; Indiana, ll6.
Forty-seyen patents were issued to citizens of
foreign countries during the same period.
THE COLOR LINE.
The action of some of the Southern com
panies in Withdrawing from the National drill
because the colored companies would be al
lowed to compete for the prizes has created
great deal of interest here. 1t shows upon
what broad and liberal foundation the New
South" is built. This move is not calculated
to help the Presidents boom among the
coored people. The Commissioners of this
district are entitled to credit for the firm
stand which they took in the matter. The
withdrawal of some of the Southern COM
panies will not affect the proposed drill
particle.
SECRETARY FAIRcHILD MAKES BEGINNING
1t is reported that Secretary of the Treasu
~ Fairchld has announced his determina-
ton to bounce all colored messengers, door
keepers, etc employed in the Treasury
department, and substitute white persons in
their places. There is, therefore, great
trepidation among the colored employees.
BEN. BUNKER AFTER ScALPs.
The Hon. Ben. Bunker is in town. One
Of the objects of his visit here is to get the
republican postmaster at Skowhegan bounced
and good democrat appointed in his stead.
He is also seeking to have similar changes
made in some smaller post offices. While
here he hopes to secure better accommoda-
tions for the Watervile office, which, he de-
clares, are not suitable for a town of one
fifth its size.